Race track toy set

ABSTRACT

A magnetic block track provided as a set has track blocks provided as a set of track blocks selected from at least one of the following of the group of: basic blocks; straight road section blocks; and curved section blocks. The track blocks are generally planar with a top side, a bottom side, and a sidewall with a sidewall height that is less than a length of the track blocks. A pair of permanent magnets is mounted within sidewalls of the track blocks. The pair of permanent magnets are aligned to attract to each other. A first slot is formed on the track blocks starting at slot funnel formed on the sidewall. The first slot is formed between the pair of permanent magnets. A toy vehicle has a pair of protruding vehicle guides configured to engage the first slot.

The present invention claims priority from China design patentapplication 201930236302.2 filed on May 16, 2019 entitled Magnetic MagicTransportation by applicant Zhejiang Jiajiao Toys Co., Ltd., thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention claims priority from utility model patentapplication 201921804459.1 filed Oct. 25, 2019 entitled One OrbitMagnetic Building Block by applicant Zhejiang Jiajiao Toys Co., Ltd.,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention claims priority from China design patentapplication 201930590116.9 filed on Oct. 29, 2019 entitled OrbitalMagnetic Building Blocks by applicant Zhejiang Jiajiao Toys Co., Ltd.,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention the field of magnetic toy tracks.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Building block toys are some of the best early childhood education toysfor children, especially track blocks. However, the traditional trackblocks are generally made of wood and are hard-coated, which often makesthem inconvenient and uninteresting in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A magnetic block track provided as a set has track blocks provided as aset of track blocks selected from at least one of the following of thegroup of: basic blocks; straight road section blocks; and curved sectionblocks. The track blocks are generally planar with a top side, a bottomside, and a sidewall with a sidewall height that is less than a lengthof the track blocks. A pair of permanent magnets is mounted withinsidewalls of the track blocks. The pair of permanent magnets are alignedto attract to each other. A first slot is formed on the track blocksstarting at slot funnel formed on the sidewall. The first slot is formedbetween the pair of permanent magnets. A toy vehicle has a pair ofprotruding vehicle guides configured to engage the first slot.

The basic blocks have a second slot crossing the first slot. Bridgesection blocks have a first slot with a having hump shaped curve. Rampsection blocks connect track blocks from a lower level with a higherlevel. The pair of permanent magnets are arranged with an orientation.The width of the slot matches a height of the sidewall so that the slotcan receive the sidewall in interference fit. The column bracketelevates the track blocks and connects two track blocks on an upperplane. The column bracket has retaining pillars that engage to coversocket openings formed at the vertices of the track blocks.

The column bracket has columns with a bracket pillar at an upper end ofthe column bracket, and a socket at a lower end of the column bracket.Multiple levels of column brackets can be stacked with bracket pillarsextending into the socket. Four holes are located at each of the fourvertices of the basic blocks, straight road section blocks, and curvedsection blocks.

The Y shaped track block has a switch. The Y shaped track block has a Yshaped slot, where the switch is mounted in the Y shaped slot. The Tshaped track block has three switches. The T shaped track block has a Tshaped slot. The three switches are mounted in the T shaped slot.

The track blocks are made of plastic and have a block bottom with ablock bottom frame having a bottom frame rib that extends along a bottomframe flat area, and a block cover joined to and fitting over the blockbottom frame. The bottom frame rib forms a magnet retainer notch andbottom socket openings. The block cover forms the sidewalls thatcooperate with the magnet retainer notch for retaining the magnets. Thebottom frame rib forms magnet walls, namely bottom frame left magnetwalls, bottom frame inside magnet walls, and bottom frame right magnetwalls. The magnet walls form magnet retainer notches. The magnets areheld within the magnet retainer notches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded schematic structural diagram of theblock of the present invention showing assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a block of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a straight roadsection block of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the straight road section block of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of the curved sectionblock of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the curved section block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of the ramp sectionblock of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ramp section block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a curved sectionblock of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the curved section of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a curved sectionblock of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the curved section block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a bridge sectionblock of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bridge section block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a junction trackblock of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the junction track block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of the Y-shapedblock of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the Y-shaped block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded schematic structural diagram of a Y-shaped blockof the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the Y-shaped block of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a column bracket of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the column bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the column bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a front view of an indicating street sign of the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of a bottom of an electric toyvehicle according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view diagram of an interface structurebetween a bottom of an electric toy vehicle and a building blockaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of connection between the building blocksof the present invention by a card into a slot.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of magnetic connection between thebuilding blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the buildingblocks of the present invention and the building block bracket.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the connection between thebuilding block and the building block bracket of the present inventionto indicate street signs.

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of a block groove of a building blockof the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a front view of a Y-shaped block nine of the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a front view of a Y-shaped block of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing additional connector blocks.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide forreferencing the element numbers of the drawings.

-   A slot width-   B sidewall height-   10 block-   11 block bottom-   12 block cover-   13 magnet-   14 slot-   15 cover socket opening-   16 fork switch-   17 first switch-   18 second switch-   19 third switch-   20 block bottom frame-   21 bottom frame left magnet wall-   22 bottom frame inside magnet wall-   23 bottom frame right magnet wall-   24 bottom socket opening-   25 magnet retainer notch-   26 cover sidewall-   27 bottom frame rib-   28 bottom frame flat area-   29 slot tunnel-   30 bracket column-   31 lower socket-   41 entry opening-   42 first exit opening-   43 second exit opening-   44 first entry opening-   45 second entry opening-   46 third entry opening-   47 right entry slot sidewall-   48 left entry slot sidewall-   49 second entry opening right slot sidewall-   50 second entry opening left slot sidewall-   51 third entry opening first sidewall-   52 third entry opening second sidewall-   53 distal corner-   60 basic block-   61 raised section-   62 straight road section block-   63 curved section block-   64 ramp section block-   65 curved section block-   66 bridge section-   67 Junction track-   68 Y shaped track-   69 column bracket-   101 upper plane-   102 retaining pillars-   102A first pillar-   102B second pillar-   102C third pillar-   102D fourth pillar-   103 bracket pillars-   103A first bracket pillar-   103B second bracket pillar-   103C third bracket pillar-   103D fourth bracket pillar-   104 upper opening-   104A first upper opening-   104B second upper opening-   104C third upper opening-   104D fourth upper opening-   105 lower opening-   105A first lower opening-   105B second lower opening-   105C third lower opening-   105D fourth lower opening-   106 toy vehicle-   108 vehicle guide-   200 sign-   201 upper end-   202 lower end

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a block 10 includes a block bottom 11 and a blockcover 12 fitting over the block bottom 11. The block 10 is preferablymade of plastic injection molded members. The block bottom 11 has ablock bottom frame 20 which comprises a bottom frame rib 27 that extendsalong a bottom frame flat area 28. The bottom frame rib 27 forms amagnet retainer notch 25 and bottom socket openings 24. A bottom frameleft magnet wall 21, a bottom frame inside magnet wall 22, and a bottomframe right magnet wall 23 form magnet retaining walls of the magnetretainer notch 25. The magnets 13 are held within the magnet retainernotches 25. The block cover 12 has a cover socket opening 15 thatcommunicates to the bottom socket opening 24. Each cover socket opening15 in each corner of the block cover 12 provides an area for mounting.The block cover 12 includes a slot 14 with a slot funnel 29. The pair ofslots 14 provides a track for a vehicle. The block cover 12 also hascover sidewalls 26. The cover sidewalls 26 cooperates with the magnetretainer notch 25 for retaining each magnet 13. The magnets 13 aresandwiched in pairs in between the block bottom 11 and the block cover12.

The first building block, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is composed of thebuilding block bottom 11 and the building block cover 12 and the magnet13. The magnet is a permanent magnet. The building block is providedwith magnets 13 on each of the four sides. Four blocks having a normalangle, the magnets 13 have a polarity so that adjacent magnets fromdifferent blocks can be attracted to each other so as to automaticallyalign the slots 14 with each other, as shown in FIG. 28. A cross-shapedslot 14 is formed on one surface of the block, as shown in FIG. 31. Thewidth A of the slot 14 is configured with the thickness B of thebuilding block so that an edge of the block can be inserted into theslot 14, as shown in FIG. 25. One hole is formed on each of the fourvertices of the first block as a cover socket opening 15.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the slot 14 is spaced apart from the socket 15.The basic block 60 has a single unit of measure and a pair of crossingslots. A pair of magnets are placed to the left and right of each slotfunnel 29 for a total of eight bar shaped magnets. The basic block has 4protruding square sections raised above the level of the crossing slots.Each protruding square section or raised section 61 has a distal corner53 that contains a pair of magnets angled at a right angle to eachother. The socket 15 provides a connection to vertical elements at eachdistal corner 53. Vertical elements may include signposts. The blockcover 12 can be elongated for receiving multiple magnets within.

As seen in FIGS. 3-4, a straight road section block 62 is two units longand one unit wide and has a single slot traveling along its length. Thesecond building block is a straight section of track, as shown in FIGS.3 and 4, and is composed of building block bottom 11 and building blockcover 12 and magnet 13. The magnet is also a permanent magnet, and twoor four sides of the building block are provided with magnets 13. Forblocks having a grid configuration of squares, the magnet 13 preferablyhas an orientation to provide automatic alignment of slots duringassembly when magnets 13 are magnetically attracted to each other, asshown in FIG. 28. As seen in FIGS. 5-6, a curved section block 63 can bea curved track allows a 90° bend for changing track orientation. A hole15 is one formed near each of the four vertices. The magnet is also apermanent magnet, and two or four sides of the building block areprovided with magnets 13. For blocks having a grid configuration ofsquares, the magnet 13 preferably has an orientation to provideautomatic alignment of slots during assembly when magnets 13 aremagnetically attracted to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 7-8, a ramp section block 64 can be a track provides achange in height to allow multiple levels of tracks. The slot has a rampshape that conforms with the shape of the block. A hole 15 is one formednear each of the four vertices.

As seen in FIGS. 9-12, a curved section block 65 of track provides ashift in road placement. A hole 15 is one formed near each of the fourvertices. The magnet is also a permanent magnet, and two or four sidesof the building block are provided with magnets 13. For blocks having agrid configuration of squares, the magnet 13 preferably has anorientation to provide automatic alignment of slots during assembly whenmagnets 13 are magnetically attracted to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 13-14 a bridge section block 66 of track provides aprotruded road. A hole 15 is one formed near each of the four vertices.The magnet is also a permanent magnet, and two or four sides of thebuilding block are provided with magnets 13. For blocks having a gridconfiguration of squares, the magnet 13 preferably has an orientation toprovide automatic alignment of slots during assembly when magnets 13 aremagnetically attracted to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 15-16 a junction track 67 provides a trafficintersection to connect roads. The junction track is three units longand three units wide. A hole 15 is one formed near each of the fourvertices.

As seen in FIGS. 17-18 a Y shaped track 68 provides a fork intersectionto connect road sections. A hole 15 is one formed near each of the sixvertices. The magnet is also a permanent magnet, and two or four sidesof the building block are provided with magnets 13. For blocks having agrid configuration of squares, the magnet 13 preferably has anorientation to provide automatic alignment of slots during assembly whenmagnets 13 are magnetically attracted to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 19-20 a Y shaped track provides a fork intersection toconnect road sections. The magnet is also a permanent magnet, and two orfour sides of the building block are provided with magnets 13. Forblocks having a grid configuration of squares, the magnet 13 preferablyhas an orientation to provide automatic alignment of slots duringassembly when magnets 13 are magnetically attracted to each other.

As seen in FIGS. 21-23 a column bracket 69 provides a suspension of theroad for an elevated road. The column bracket 69 can be stacked forbuilding multiple roadway levels. The column bracket 69 has an upperplane 101 that supports an edge of a block such as a curved sectionblock three, or a straight road section block 62. The upper plane hasretaining pillars 102 including a first pillar 102A, a second pillar102B, a third pillar 102C, and a fourth pillar 102D. The retainingpillars 102 engage with a pair of socket openings on a block 10 formedby the bottom socket opening 24 or the cover socket opening 15. The pairof socket openings are one on the side of the block 10. The retainingpillars 102 align the pair of magnets so that they attract each otherfor maintaining structural stability of the column bracket 69. Thebracket pillars 103 includes a first bracket pillar 103A, second bracketpillar 103B, third bracket pillar 103C, fourth bracket pillar 103D. Apair of bracket pillars protrude from the column bracket 69 left side,and a pair of bracket pillars protrude from the column bracket 69 rightside. Similarly, a pair of retaining pillars 102 protrude from thecolumn bracket 69 right side, and a pair of bracket pillars protrudefrom the column bracket 69 left side. The bracket pillars 103 canprotrude into a lower socket 31 of the bracket column 30.

Each bracket pillar 103 has an upper opening 104. The upper opening 104opposes the lower opening 105. The upper opening includes a first upperopening 104A, a second upper opening 104B, a third upper opening 104C,and a fourth upper opening 104D. The lower opening 105 one a lowersocket 31. The lower opening include 105A first lower opening, 105Bsecond lower opening, 105C third lower opening, and 105D fourth loweropening.

As seen in FIG. 24, a variety of different roadsigns have an upper end201 and a lower end 202 that can be inserted into the upper openings 104or the cover socket openings 15. As seen in FIGS. 25-26, a vehicle 106has a pair of protruding vehicle guides 108 extending downward andengaging to a slot 14 of a track.

As seen in FIG. 27, the slot 14 can receive an edge of a block 10 at acover sidewall 26 should such insertion be required.

As seen in FIG. 28, the blocks 10 have magnets 13 within them thatmagnetically align to each other so that the slots 14 are magneticallyaligned with each other between blocks. A successive laying of trackprovides a course for the vehicle 106.

As seen in FIG. 29, the column brackets 69 can stack and providemultiple layer roadways made of blocks 10. The cover socket openings 15of the blocks 10 engage the retaining pillars 102 of the column brackets69. The retaining pillars 102 extend from the upper plane 101 of thecolumn bracket 69.

As seen in FIG. 30, the lower end 202 of the sign 200 can be insertedinto the upper opening 104 of the column bracket 69.

As seen in FIG. 31, a slot width A of the slot 14 is configured toreceive a sidewall height B of a cover sidewall 26.

As seen in FIG. 32, a Y shaped track 68 has a first entry opening 41with a right entry slot sidewall 47 and a left entry slot sidewall 48.Similarly, the Y shaped track 68 has a first exit opening 42 and asecond exit opening 43. The fork switch 16 is mounted at the entryopening 41.

As seen in FIG. 33, a Y shaped track 68 may have the first entry opening44 with a right entry slot sidewall 47, opposing a left entry slotsidewall 48 with a first switch 17 mounted between the right entry slotsidewall 47 and the left entry slot sidewall 48. The second entryopening 45 and the third entry opening 46 can also be switched so that asecond switch 18 is mounted between the second entry opening right slotsidewall 49 and the second entry opening left slot sidewall 50. Thethird entry opening 46 can be switched with a third switch 19 mountedbetween a third entry opening first sidewall 51 and a third entryopening second sidewall 52.

As seen in FIG. 34, a variety of miscellaneous connector blocks can beprovided for additional leeway in configuring different track routeshapes.

1. A magnetic block track provided as a set comprising: a. track blocksprovided as a set of track blocks selected from at least one of thefollowing of the group of: straight road section blocks; curved sectionblocks; and ramp section blocks, wherein the ramp section blocks connecttrack blocks between a lower level and a higher level wherein the trackblocks are generally planar with a top side and a bottom side, and alsohaving a sidewall with a sidewall height that is less than a length ofthe track blocks; b. a pair of permanent magnets mounted withinsidewalls of the track blocks, wherein the pair of permanent magnets arealigned to attract to each other; c. a first slot formed on the trackblocks starting at slot funnel formed on the sidewall; wherein the firstslot is formed between the pair of permanent magnets; and d. a toyvehicle having a pair of protruding vehicle guides configured to engagethe first slot.
 2. The magnetic block track of claim 1, wherein thebasic blocks have a second slot crossing the first slot.
 3. The magneticblock track of claim 1, further including bridge section blocks, whereinthe first slot on the bridge section blocks having hump shaped curve. 4.The magnetic block track of claim 1, further including basic blocks. 5.The magnetic block track of claim 1, wherein the pair of permanentmagnets are arranged with an orientation.
 6. The magnetic block track ofclaim 1, wherein a width of the slot matches a height of the sidewall sothat the slot can receive the sidewall in interference fit.
 7. Themagnetic block track of claim 1, further including a column bracket,wherein the column bracket elevates the track blocks and connects twotrack blocks on an upper plane, wherein the column bracket has retainingpillars, wherein the retaining pillars engage to cover socket openingsformed at the vertices of the track blocks.
 8. The magnetic block trackof claim 7, wherein the column bracket has columns with a bracket pillarat an upper end of the column bracket, and a socket at a lower end ofthe column bracket, wherein multiple levels of column brackets can bestacked with bracket pillars extending into the socket.
 9. The magneticblock track of claim 7, further comprising: four holes located at eachof the four vertices of the basic blocks, straight road section blocks,curved section blocks.
 10. The magnetic block track of claim 7, furthercomprising: a Y shaped track block having a switch, wherein the Y shapedtrack block has a Y shaped slot, wherein the switch is mounted in the Yshaped slot.
 11. The magnetic block track of claim 7, furthercomprising: a T shaped track block having three switches, wherein the Tshaped track block has a T shaped slot, wherein the three switches aremounted in the T shaped slot.
 12. The magnetic block track of claim 7,wherein the basic blocks have a second slot crossing the first slot. 13.The magnetic block track of claim 7, further including bridge sectionblocks, wherein the first slot on the bridge section blocks having humpshaped curve.
 14. The magnetic block track of claim 7, further includingbasic blocks.
 15. The magnetic block track of claim 7, wherein the pairof permanent magnets are arranged with an orientation.
 16. The magneticblock track of claim 7, wherein a width of the slot matches a height ofthe sidewall so that the slot can receive the sidewall in interferencefit.
 17. The magnetic block track of claim 7, further including a columnbracket, wherein the column bracket elevates the track blocks andconnects two track blocks on an upper plane, wherein the column brackethas retaining pillars.
 18. The magnetic block track of claim 1, whereinthe track blocks are made of plastic and comprise: a. a block bottomwith a block bottom frame having a bottom frame rib that extends along abottom frame flat area, wherein the bottom frame rib forms a magnetretainer notch and bottom socket openings; and b. a block cover joinedto and fitting over the block bottom frame, wherein block cover formsthe sidewalls that cooperate with the magnet retainer notch forretaining the magnets.
 19. The magnetic block track of claim 18, whereinthe bottom frame rib forms magnet walls, namely bottom frame left magnetwalls, bottom frame inside magnet walls, and bottom frame right magnetwalls, wherein the magnet walls form magnet retainer notches, whereinthe magnets are held within the magnet retainer notches.